Our thoughts on who Purdue football needs to retain
Save the date: January 2, 2026. That’s the day the transfer portal opens, the day after the College Football Playoff quarterfinals.
The window will be open for two weeks. To say it will be a critical two weeks for Purdue would be an understatement. And the elimination of the spring portal window in April means Purdue will have one shot to get this right if its want to flip a losing script.
But first, Purdue must retain its top talent. Who should the program retain? This is our wish list.
NOTE: Just because a player isn’t listed doesn’t mean we don’t think he should not come back; it’s just we don’t think great resources should be used to retain any player not on this list.
Offense
| Pos. Player | Skinny |
| QB Ryan Browne | Leader with talent; make him compete for job |
| TE George Burhenn | Uber talent, but can he stay healthy? |
| OL Bradyn Joiner | Lacks ideal height but quick, agile, strong |
| OL Jude McCoskey, | Mammoth man best suited to back-up |
| WR De’Nylon Morrissette | Missed 2025; good No. 2 or No. 3 option |
| OL Hank Purvis | Enormous human will be valued on portal market |
| OL Joey Tanona | Purdue’s best blocker needs more size, strength |
| OL Ethan Trent | Valuable depth player, and valuable teammate |
| WR Nitro Tuggle | Explosive talent with big-play ability this offense needs |
Defense
| Pos. Player | Skinny |
| DB Smiley Bradford | Primed to be key player; always around ball |
| S Vi’Naz Cobb | Got feet wet as true frosh; ready for more |
| LB Charles Correa | Ultimate warrior |
| CB Chalil Cummings | Bigger corner with potential |
| LB Sanders Ellis | Raw talent looks primed to emerge |
| T Chops Harkless | Valuable pocket collapser who commands doubles; future pro |
| CB Hudauri Hines | Best days are ahead for big corner |
| E Breeon Ishmail | Flashed off edge at times |
| T Ian Jeffries | Active interior presence who makes plays |
| T Demeco Kennedy | Developing into solid depth player at value spot |
| T TJ Lindsey | Prototype DT, quick, strong; coming off injury |
| LB Alex Sanford | Can start or be valuable depth player |
Special teams
| Pos. Player | Skinny |
| K Spencer Porath | Hit 15-of-17 field-goal attempts; 50-yard range |
| LS Luke Raab | Flawless |
